Oscar’s ready to Run wild in Haydock slog
Run For Oscar (6.45) is an eye-catching raider in tonight’s Sky Bet Sunday Series at Haydock.
Ultra- shrewd trainer Charles Byrnes has opted to send the tough stayer across the water for this long-distance contest.
The last outing at The Curragh really caught the eye. Having returned from a 202- day break to be unplaced in the spring at the same venue, Run for Oscar went into a lot of notebooks when coming third in late June.
Willie Mullins’ duo of Maze Runner and Dark Voyager finished in front of him but the bare form didn’t tell the entire story.
The gelding looked to be miles too far out of his ground during the race and finished strongly to be never nearer at the line.
Byrnes’ yak only got a pound for that effort and the appeal is obvious with Haydock’s long home straight likely to suit.
Malakahna is a huge danger. Ian Williams is every bit as smart as Byrnes and this looks like a real long-term plan.
The four-year- old had a splendid campaign over hurdles then had a break before a pipe-opener over an inadequate 1m 1f at Wolverhampton in June to remove the cobwebs.
Willians has clearly had this in mind for a while and David Egan is a brilliant booking.
Flat racing also takes place at Windsor and ALASKAN JEWEL (3.10) found the winning key when last sighted at Bath.
The three- year- old was moved from Adrian Keatley to the John Flint yard and was last on his first start for the stable over six on his previous visit to this venue.
Dropped back a furlong and in a 0- 65, Alaskan Jewel was a 25/1 rag the next time, yet ran those odds into the ground by streaking home in front.
The gelding goes back in distance this time and it might not be ideal but it is worth taking a chance on the fact that Flint has discovered the way to get the best from his charge.
Leicester are also in action and ATTACHE (4.22) must have a great chance of finally getting his head in front.
The three-year-old has been running well of late without being punished by the handicapper.
Second at Brighton and third at Newmarket were good runs and Attache goes again off a mark of 68 over seven furlongs.
Andrew Balding and David Probert are both in decent form and the pair can strike.
Jumps fans wi l l be focusing on Downpatrick with most of the leading Irish yards represented.
Henry De Bromhead has plenty of chances on the card and TRENDY LADY (2.30) can get the top trainer off to a flyer.
Best race of the day is the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville which has attracted a star-studded field.
The soft going makes it a contest where you’ll have to stay over the six so I’m taking an each-way swing at HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (2.55).
John Quinn’s filly has form over further with ease in the ground and the trainer isn’t the type to send one into a race like this just for fun.